Pulse Oximetry Sensor with Tissue Contact Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pulse oximetry sensors often experience measurement inaccuracies due to inadequate contact with the patient's tissue, leading to unreliable physiological parameter monitoring.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a tissue contact sensor that provides an electrical signal indicating the sensor's 'on' or 'off' state, using mechanical, optical, or temperature-based mechanisms to ensure proper contact and prevent measurement errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pulse oximetry sensor is used to monitor physiological parameters, then measurement of oxygen saturation and blood flow characteristics is enabled, but measurement inaccuracies occur when the sensor is dislodged or has inadequate contact with the patient's tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by incorporating a tissue contact sensor that continuously monitors whether the pulse oximetry sensor is properly contacted with the patient's tissue. This contact sensor provides real-time feedback signals to the monitoring system, enabling the system to detect when the sensor is dislodged or has inadequate contact, and alert healthcare personnel to reposition or replace the sensor, thereby maintaining measurement reliability and accuracy throughout the monitoring period
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary tissue contact sensor as a mediator between the pulse oximetry sensor and the monitoring system. This intermediary component specifically detects the contact status between the sensor and tissue, separating the contact detection function from the physiological parameter measurement function, allowing the system to distinguish between actual physiological changes and sensor placement issues
2Measurement precision
If the sensor is made to be adequately in contact with the patient's tissue to ensure accurate measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but the complexity of ensuring proper contact and detecting contact status increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tissue contact detection function with the pulse oximetry sensor by integrating a contact sensor into the sensor assembly. This combination allows the system to simultaneously perform physiological parameter measurement and contact status detection using a single integrated device, reducing the need for separate monitoring components and simplifying the overall system while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor design provides multi-functionality by enabling the same sensor assembly to perform both physiological parameter measurement (oxygen saturation, blood flow characteristics) and contact status detection. This universal design eliminates the need for separate dedicated contact sensors, reducing device complexity while ensuring accurate measurements through continuous contact monitoring
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tissue contact sensor ensures accurate and reliable physiological parameter monitoring by providing real-time feedback on sensor contact status, reducing measurement errors and ensuring correct placement.
Implementation Method 1
Pulse oximeters may utilize a non-invasive sensor capable of transmitting light through a patient's tissue and that photoelectrically detects the absorption and/or scattering of the transmitted light in such tissue
Implementation Method 2
The tissue contact sensor may be capable of providing an electrical signal related to a movement of a mechanical component of the tissue contact sensor
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a sensor may be adapted to provide information related to its position on a patient's tissue. The sensor may include tissue contact sensors which may relay a signal related to the proper placement of the sensor relative to the tissue of a patient. Such a sensor may be useful for providing information to a clinician regarding the location of the sensor in relation to the skin of a patient in order to provide improved measurements.